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If you have bad credit and you’ve been trying to get a phone contract but to no avail, then you’ve probably heard about no credit check mobile phones. As the name suggests, these phones are ideal for users with bad credit issues. There are no credit checks involved hence processing of your phone application is ultra fast. In fact, same day processing is a guarantee most providers now offer. But before you get too excited and sign up for a deal online, here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

About no credit check phones

No credit check phones work just like your typical contract phone. You will have an option to choose your handset as part of the contract plan in addition to a bundle service that covers your call, text and data allowances. Once approved for this type of deal, you’ll be paying a fixed monthly fee for a set period of time. Most provides offer contract terms of 12 months, 24 months or even as long as 36 months.

Advantages of no credit check phones

No credit check phones continue to gain popularity across UK thanks to the following advantages:

No credit check – The best thing about no credit check phones is the fact that providers no longer run credit checks on applicants. If you have bad credit and can’t get a contract phone elsewhere, this alternative offers an easy way out.

Handset option – You also get to choose a handset as part of the phone plan. You don’t have to buy a handset upfront but you can get one as part of the phone deal. The phone’s cost is leveraged over the course of the contract term. To check out available handsets you can choose from, check out this site.

Upgrade option – Once your contract is close to its expiration date, you will have an option to upgrade to a better plan. Provided that you were a responsible subscriber and you paid your dues on time, you can choose a better handset and a more generous bundle plan.

Cheaper phone service rates – With the bundle plan feature, you can enjoy cheaper rates on your call, text and data rates. The trick is to find a suitable bundle that is perfectly suited for your monthly needs.

Disadvantages of no credit check phones

It’s not all pros when it comes to no credit check phones. Here are some of the disadvantages you need to keep in mind:

Limited handset choices – Since these are no credit offers, the handset selection is usually limited. You may not be able to choose a high-end handset for your phone deal considering that you have a bad credit score.

Higher monthly fees – Monthly fees may be more expensive than if you have good credit because providers are taking higher risks with customers who have bad credit issues. They compensate for the risks by increasing the monthly fees.

Lengthy contract – Let’s not forget the lengthy contract. You will be hooked to your provider for a year or two where you pay a higher monthly fee.

Is it for you?

No credit check mobile phones, as you can see, are handy alternatives to traditional phone contracts. It has the advantages and disadvantages of a typical phone contract and it’s perfect for people who cannot avail a contract elsewhere due to a poor credit history. While more expensive and handset choices are limited, the deal is a stepping stone until you can boost your credit score and switch to a better phone plan.

Despite the disadvantages and discouragements, phone contracts remain a top and preferred choice by majority of mobile users in the UK. With the phone deal’s set of advantages including a free handset, cheaper phone services rates and other incentives; it really is hard to resist the deal. There’s just one downside. Overspending on your phone bill because of the wrong bundle plan is now more common than ever. To avoid the same mistake, here are valuable tips to help save you money on your phone bill.

Choose a less expensive handset

If you want to keep your monthly bill on the budget-friendly side, one way to do that is to keep your handset choice to the less expensive models. Say goodbye to the latest iPhone for now. Since you have bad credit to consider, it’s more important to ensure that your monthly bill is something you can comfortable afford.

Choose your bundle plan right

Other than your handset, your bundle plan option will also affect your bill. To avoid overspending, the trick is to choose a bundle plan that perfectly fits with both your budget and needs. This means that you need to assess your monthly usage accurately to find the right plan.
Cut back on data usage
Using too much data on your mobile phone is one of the reasons why a lot of people are overspending on their phone contract bill. To save money, you need to cut back on data usage. Rather than opt for the plan with the most data allowance, you need to switch to a different option. While you’re at it, it’s highly recommended for you to keep a close eye on your usage to avoid exceeding the limit.

Take advantages of promotions

When you’re a mobile phone subscriber, you’ll have exclusive access to carrier promotions, freebies and more. You should take advantage if you want to save some extra bucks. If you’ve been with your current carrier for quite some time, you can call customer service and ask about promotions you are eligible to avail. You may also want to put your negotiation skills to the test. If you ask for added minutes or texts, you’ll almost always get what you want because customer retention is always your carrier’s priority.

Always check your bill details

Carriers can be tricky. You may never know about it but you’re already paying more than what you should be paying for because of hidden fees and related charges. Don’t get duped by your carrier’s tactics by making sure that you know the details on your phone bill. Make it habit to peruse your bill month after month. If you happen to see unquestionable charges, call customer service right away. It could be an error of some kind. By being a vigilant mobile user, you are ensuring that you’re never in danger of overspending on your phone contract.

There is an ongoing debate in the industry. Which is better, a contract phone or a prepaid phone? Many experts insist that a prepaid phone is better because of the potential savings while other experts claim that contract phones are better because of a number of advantages. But like with most things in life, both prepaid and contract phones have their set of pros and cons. In this guide, we will try to dissect both types to help you make a sound decision in the end.

Prepaid Phones

Prepaid phones for a long time have had a bad reputation due to claims that it is the preferred type by smugglers, criminals and even drug dealers. But that perception has already changed over the years. Now, more and more experts are encouraging users to ditch their contracts and go prepaid. Here are some of the reasons why:

More control over your phone bill – When you opt for prepaid, you only top-up when needed, which means no wasted minutes. You also have more control over bill. You decide how much to top-up and when to do so.

No monthly fees to worry about – With prepaid phones, there are no fixed monthly fees to pay. You really only pay for the call, text and data services that you are using and nothing more.

No lengthy contracts – As opposed to getting tied to a long contract term, prepaid phones are without any contract commitment. You can switch carriers anytime you want and change SIM cards when necessary.

While clearly budget-friendly, prepaid phones are not without their cons, which include:

Inconvenience – In times of emergencies and you really need to make a call, you won’t be able to make one unless your phone is topped up with credit.

No free handset – You won’t get a free handset with a prepaid phone either. You need to buy one upfront, which means bigger cash to spend from the get go.

Contract Phones

With so many subscribers overspending on their contract plans, contract phones are becoming more controversial by the day. But just like prepaid phones, contract phones have their pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros:

Handset choice – One of the main attractions of a phone contract is the freedom to choose your own handset. As part of the plan, you get to pick a handset and pay for it over the duration of the term. There’s no need to buy a handset upfront with contract phones.

Bundle plan – In addition to the handset, you also get to choose a bundle plan, which includes allowances for your phone services. This means cheaper rates for your call, text and data cost.

Customer service – Carriers also provide customer services for phone contract subscribers. If you have network or coverage problems, the customer service team should be able to help.

Like prepaid phones, contract phones also have its set of cons:

Tied to one carrier – When you sign a contract, you are essentially hooking yourself to one contract. Unless the contract is up, you won’t be able to switch carriers easily. There are associated penalties and fees if you do decide to end the contract early.

Can be expensive – If you choose a high-end handset and a generous bundle plan that do not really suit your needs, you may end up with hefty monthly bills. This could lead to overspending because you’re paying for services you’re not really fully maximizing. Choosing the right bundle plan, therefore, is crucial if you’re going for a contract phone over a prepaid phone.

Phone contracts may be more preferred by majority of users in the UK but it doesn’t mean that it’s the best option for everyone. If you want to make sure that your phone contract is in sync with both your budget and needs, knowing the potential disadvantages can help. Here are some of the cons you should consider before signing any deal:

Lengthy contract

Once you’re signed up for a phone contract, you’ll be stuck with one carrier for a long time. The typical contract length in the UK starts from 12 months and may last up to 24 months or 36 months. If you’re going after the latest handset, the ideal contract term is 24 months, which can be pretty lengthy. In the event that you want to switch to a different carrier because of better deal offer before the contract expires, you will need to pay hefty fees and charges for contract cancellation.

If you really want a contract phone, make sure that you’re comfortable with your carrier choice for the next 24 months. Otherwise, you may end up paying more in associated penalties and charges.

Bundle plans have limits

There are bundle plans that feature unlimited calls and texts, which are ideal if you’re a heavy mobile user. If you’re a moderate or light user, however, opting for a less generous bundle plan makes more sense. For a typical mobile phone user, bundle plans with limits seem like the right choice. But this can be a disadvantage too because there’s always the possibility that you might exceed your limit. For excess of calls, texts or data MB, you’ll have to pay the regular rate.

Costly with the wrong plan

Phone contracts can lead to great savings but only if you picked the right bundle plan. Conversely, you’ll end up spending more than you should if you picked the wrong plan. For example, choosing a plan with unlimited calls and texts may seem wise but it’s really not when you’re not really maximizing your services. You’ll be paying for services you’re not even using. If you get a plan too small for your needs, you’ll still pay more because of the additional charges after exceeding your bundle limits.

Hidden fees and other charges

Major carriers are also very tricky. Just because you were able to clinch a cheap deal from the start doesn’t mean the monthly fee will remain low over your contract term. Carriers can balloon up your monthly fee with hidden fees and extra charges you may not know about. There is also a wide assortment of penalties you may need to pay along the way. For example, if you decide to switch carriers before the contract up, you’ll be charged a steep penalty fee for getting out of the contract early. To avoid incurring unnecessary fees, it’s best to read the fine print for more details before signing any contract deal.

Credit check requirement

Phone contract deals especially the ones that offer the latest handsets are difficult to avail if you have a poor credit history. Major carriers run credit checks on applicants. If you happen to have a history of CCJs or defaults, your application is likely to get rejected. You need to have a good credit first in order to enjoy the best advantages a phone contract can offer. If you have bad credit and you need a phone contract, your handset options are often limited to older models and cheaper mobile phones.

Choosing between buying a phone upfront or applying for a phone contract to leverage the phone’s price is common dilemma most users have to deal with. Whether it’s your first time applying for a contract or your current contract is about to expire, the decision can be tough. There are experts who say that you shouldn’t get a phone contract because of the high cost. There are also those who endorse phone contracts because of the potential savings.

With conflicting recommendations, how do you know which is the best option for you? Rather than follow an expert advice or a rule, it really boils down to what’s suitable for your needs at the end of the day. If you want a phone contract, for instance, here are key advantages that may help you decide.

Free handset

If you want a new handset, a phone contract can give you that at a cheaper price or for free. If you’re a new subscriber, you can choose a new phone without paying for it upfront but instead pay for it on a monthly basis for the duration of the plan’s contract. If you’re an existing subscriber and you wish to upgrade for another 2-year contract, you can get a free phone in the process.

Bundled plans

With phone contracts, you also get to avail a bundled plan, which include allowances for your call, text and data services. There are also carriers that offer bundled services that may include broadband, landline phone service and even streaming media. Provided that you pick the right plan, you have the potential to save more money on your phone bill month after month.

If you’re hoping to save even more money, you can also check out family or group plans. You can enlist family and friends to apply for a group plan where you can enjoy cheaper rates.

Replacement plans

High-end handsets can be very costly. If you bought yours upfront and lose it somewhere, you also lose your money in a snap especially if you didn’t get any insurance. When you opt for a phone contract, you get access to different cell phone insurance plans. If you lose or damage your phone, you may get a replacement depending on the type of insurance plan you have.

Latest handset choices

If you have good credit and you can provide proof of sufficient income, you can enjoy access to a wide assortment of cell phones including the latest handsets from big brands such as Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC and more. If you want the latest iPhone, for example, you can avail said phone then choose a bundle plan well suited for your monthly needs.

Number portability

Another advantage is number portability. If your contract is about to expire and you’re thinking of switching to another carrier, you can still keep your original number. You cannot enjoy the same advantage if you’re not a contract subscriber.

Fast networks

If you’re a heavy mobile user and you often use your phone for Internet browsing or streaming then you need a fast network or data service. You get access to different network services when you’re a phone contract subscriber. From 3G to 4G and LTE coverage, you can choose your data plans accordingly so you’ll always enjoy a fast and reliable service. You can also opt for unlimited data plans depending on your needs.